2456 Birds. 



miles south. Of this I see a notice in the 'Zoologist' (Zool. 2147). — W. M. E. 

 Milner ; Nunappleton, Tadcaster. 



Occurrence of the Spotted Sandpiper near York. — Last spring I sent you a notice 

 of a specimen of spotted sandpiper seen by me at Bridlington Quay. I have much 

 pleasure in being able now to send a more satisfactory account of the occurrence of 

 this exceedingly rare British bird, of which a very fine and well-marked specimen 

 was shot near Whitby, at the end of last March. I saw it while in the flesh ; but 

 the intestines, &c, having been removed, the sex could not be ascertained. It was 

 remarkably tame. When shot, it was in company with a flock of dunlins (Tringa al- 

 pina). This (which I believe is the second instance recorded of the capture in Britain 

 of this American species) certainly entitles it to be without hesitation included in the 

 British list. — Edmund Thomas Higgins; York, May 1, 1849. 



The Jack Snipe (Scolopax gallinula) breeding in Norfolk. — Whilst walking over 

 the marshes between Thorpe and Postwick, on the 2nd of May, I flushed a jack 

 snipe ; but it was in a very weak state, and could hardly fly. I have since been in- 

 formed, by a bird-stuffer in Norwich, that one or two nests have been taken here this 

 year. — Peter E. Hansell ; Thorpe, next Norwich, May 7, 1849. 



Occurrence of the Gray-legged Goose (Anser palustris) in Norfolk. — The week be- 

 fore last a fine specimen of the gray-legged goose was shot on Breydon Water, near 

 Yarmouth. The last specimen which came under my notice in Norfolk of this bird 

 (previous to the present one) exhibited both the white front and the black bars on the 

 breast, which have sometimes been supposed to be exclusive characteristics of the 

 white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons). The present specimen has the white front to a 

 greater extent than the last, but is quite without the black bars. At the same time, 

 I may add that I have never seen a specimen of the gray-legged goose exhibiting 

 either of these characteristics to so great an extent, or so definitely marked, as is the 

 case in the adult white-fronted goose. The present specimen is a male. — John Henry 

 Gurney ; Easton, near Norwich, May 1, 1849. 



Occurrence of the Tufted Duck in Norfolk. — A specimen of the tufted duck was 

 shot on Wroxham Broad, on Saturday, the 20th January last. — T. H. Burroughes ; 

 Harrow-on-the- Hill. 



Curious Anecdote of a Duck. — This morning I observed a duck, now sitting, take 

 from her nest an egg. Being curious to see the result, I watched her proceedings. 

 Taking it in her bill, she carried it a short distance to the gravel-walk, when she laid 

 it down and broke it with her bill. She then returned to her nest, and resumed in- 

 cubation. Upon examination, the egg proved an addled one. Is this instinct? I 

 should be glad to know if any of your correspondents have observed similar instances. 

 — G. G. Kennaway, M.A.; Exeter, May 10, 1849. 



Occurrence of the Eared Grebe (Podiceps auritus) in Norfolk. — Last week a speci- 

 men of the eared grebe, in full breeding plumage, was shot at Sutton, in this county. 

 — John Henry Gurney ; Easton, near Norwich, May 1, 1849. 



Occurrence of the Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) in Worcestershire. — A beautiful 

 specimen of the cormorant (a female) was shot at Hewcll Park, about sixteen miles 

 from Worcester, last week. — M. Curtler ; Bevere House, near Worcester, April 19, 

 1819. 



Note on Sea Gulls. — A few days since I was walking in the marsh, in the after- 

 noon, about the time that the gulls return to the sea for the night: over-head I saw 

 two flights of gulls, of about 200 each, coining at right angles to each other; and as 



